i should be doing homework

...but instead, I'll post pictures of Thanksgiving. Procrastination at its most productive! Dave flew in for the weekend, which was obviously the holiday highlight. I thought we'd snap a family photo while we had the chance:

Horseback riding...

some swinging...

more swinging...

cousins!

Uncle Brent (the Energizer Bunny uncle), bouncing the kiddos for upwards of an hour. I dare any related youngster not to peg him as their favorite. 

 The Allreds hosted in Willcox. (Thanks, Allreds!) Maren lent me The Hunger Games, which made for a fun and quick holiday read, but, as I've mentioned, I've got homework deadlines pressing down on me. Which is why I'm thankful for the internet--where I can read trilogy synopses until I'm at my leisure again to finish off the series :)

thankful

Although I think my mom only did this once, the memory so seared in my brain that I consider it a tradition: around Thanksgiving, she made a pie for each of her kids and then we chose someone we were thankful for as the recipient. I think I picked my Sunday school teacher. I still remember that delivery van ride, the surprise on that (now nameless and faceless) teacher's face. How, embarrassed, I scurried back to the van while my parents chatted with him. Or her. I really do have such a poor memory.

Anyway, I decided to carry it on this year with the girls. So I whipped up these chocolate cream beauties (recipe to come on the Humble Pie) and took our own "van" ride around the neighborhood. It's incredible what a couple of pies can do for the human spirit. Mostly my own.

Happy Thanksgiving!